Thirteen
years according to tradition a "lace" anniversary (shades of lavender
and old -? No perhaps not, nor arsenic and, thank you at the back) so well done
everybody and a round of applause to Paulo, aided and abetted by Susie now settled
in France for raising the necessary funds.
On going work-Teachers training courses have been upgraded,
presented regularly and more are planned for the future. Referrals often occur
as a result of opportunities opening for us to teach the older children, acting
as school mentors and giving them a short training in bereavement awareness.
We are also able to offer teachers some support through difficult situations.
Middlesex University again placed a postgraduate Student Social Worker
with BBS for her first practice placement of 50 days under CCETSW regulations
which may be a longer period next year. The Director of Social Work Studies
commended my last year's Report and the quality of BBS' learning opportunities
and asked permission to use both Reports, suitably disguised, as a learning
template for new Practice Teachers.
Updating ourselves by attending and disseminating information from the
following conferences:
London Bereavement Network's day on "Bereavement support for pepplewift
learning difficulties":
o National Organisation of Practice Teachers annual conference at Brighton University
o Hull University Psychological Services new resource book on Teenage Bereavement
presented at a day conference in Hull.
o British Association of Social Workers annual conference in Birmingham on Professional
Standards and a new Code of Ethics.
New work-
Links have been made with the incoming Bishop of Willesden the Rt. Rev. Peter
Broadbent who is happy to continue as one of our Patrons as did the Bishop before
him. Also BBS was invited to the first Open Day at Kensal Green Cemetery as
an exhibitor/guest. I distributed information although sitting in a cold, rather
damp chapel for several hours does not really appeal as a Saturday occupation
even when enlivened with gingerbread coffin cookies!
We have devised a new system of assessing incoming referrals, whereby I return
the enquirer's call from a quiet place, preferably my own home, at a time when
I know I can offer as much time as is needed to listen and explain counselling,
This seems to be beneficial to both clients and Volunteers through careful preparation
for the work ahead.
Finally, and I blush to admit this, I have a new love in my life a computer
has moved in with me! I now have an Office "corner" housing the answer
phone/fax/scanner/copier/printer and IT. Now all I must do is learn how to use
it.
Valerie
Wise